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San Francisco Begins Construction Converting Half of Busy City Street to Pedestrian and Bicycle Only Use

SAN FRANCISCO – In partnership with San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), San Francisco Public Works, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will begin construction on the Mansell Street Corridor Improvement Project this November. The $6.8 million project is a first in San Francisco – it converts two lanes of vehicle traffic into a permanent pedestrian and bicycle only pathway. Funding for the project is from vehicle registration fees, gasoline tax revenue, the city’s half-cent for transportation funds, grants from One Bay Area and the State’s Urban Greening program as well as the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. The project is expected to be completed by fall, 2016.

“This is a project that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, which our constituents deserve,” said District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen. “More importantly, it is a transformative project that will build stronger connections with neighborhoods that utilize Mansell and border McLaren Park.”

According to the 2010 McLaren Needs Assessment Report, pedestrian, transit and bike safety improvements to Mansell were top priorities for the surrounding community. And after two years of community planning, the project is set to begin.

“As a strong advocate for pedestrian and cyclist safety, I am proud to support this project to improve the Mansell Street corridor and turn half of it into a pedestrian and bicycle only street,” said District 11 Supervisor John Avalos whose district includes the western edge of McLaren Park. “I look forward to riding my bike on the new section next fall.”

In addition to taking a four lane road, separated by a median, and transforming it into two lanes of vehicular traffic and a two lane bike and pedestrian pathway, the project includes additional traffic calming measures including signage, raised crosswalks, flashing beacons, bioswales and clearly marked crosswalks for the major intersections. The condition of the road used by vehicles will be vastly improved with new paving, and pedestrians and bicyclists will have a dedicated and safe route through McLaren Park.

“I want to congratulate neighbors for exhibiting so much leadership and procuring a safe passage for bicyclists and pedestrians,” said District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener whose district is just North of the project. “This is a truly important project for all San Franciscans.”

“We are very proud of our partnership with our fellow city agencies and the McLaren Park community on this project,” said Phil Ginsburg, SF Rec and Park General Manager. “The Mansell Street Corridor Improvement Project will not only improve safety in the park, it will serve as a great connection between neighborhoods.”

The project will increase accessibility and safety for users of the Park and reduce vehicular speeds on the street. In addition, the project connects Vistacion Valley, Portola and Excelsior neighborhoods together through Mansell Street. Current connections from Mansell Street to Shelley Drive and other park roads will remain intact.

“We have been excited to work with the community to design this unique streetscape approach,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “Mansell is an important route for the southeastern part of San Francisco and converting one section to pedestrian and bicycle-only will make it safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”

“We’re proud to support this important project by securing a host of funding sources, including the city’s half-cent sales taxes, Proposition AA vehicle registration fees and One Bay Area Grant funding,” said Tilly Chang, Executive Director of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. “Projects like these are at the very core of what we do as an agency – planning and funding transportation infrastructure that has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

The limits of the project are Mansell Street between University and Brazil streets and Persia Street between Brazil and Dublin with some pedestrian improvements on Brazil Street.